Review of Century precision focus ring

[Nathan Clapp]

So, after using the CP ring for a bit- here are my impressions- Excellent for repeatable focus marks, and allows focus gears for follow focus units to be installed either for onboard ff units or remote operation like on cranes.

Ring is purely mechanical

Ring takes about 10-15 min to install.

Ring has a "lockout" for macro stuff- anything below 53 "Panasonic focus units" is in the "Macro" setting. Once you calibrate ring- the only way for miscalibration is to spin it into macro (after flipping switch) and spin it below 00 or spin it back into macro and take it to 99+ w/o flipping macro lockout switch back on.

Also- I just learned do not have Focus in auto focus even in 24p- because as camera powers up it messes with the last "position" of the numbers for focus causing you to have to recalibrate focus unit.
HOW TO RECALIBRATE: Just put the switch to macro- allows full rotation of focus. spin until you get to 99, throw macro lockout switch and spin until ring stops- now 99 equals physical stop on lens- and 99-53 are fully repeatable and with some caution 00-99 is also fully repeatable.

Mabe not so user friendly in handheld as finges must go on geared teeth of ring, but that is a personal pref. some like it a lot.

[Chris Hurd]

Much appreciated, Nathan! Thanks,

[Stephen van Vuuren]

Thanks -

One question - what have you been using to make focus marks on the ring? Easy to wipe off?

[Nathan Clapp]

we aren't really pulling focus in a traditional sense, so we just put marks on with wipe off marker and put clear tape on it so it won't wipe off. we use Staedtler lumicolor non permanent marker. w/out the tape a wet finger would wipe it off mostly, and lens cleaner cleans it up like new if needed.

[Stephen van Vuuren]

Thanks.

[Rob Lohman]

I'm wondering how this system is working. I'm assuming the
camera already has an inner working that makes this all work?
Therefor it won't be compatible with other lenses?

[Ken Tanaka]

The DVX100 is a bit unique in that it has a manual/servo focus ring. Although it does not feature calibrated barrel markings it does feature an internal electronic scale that reads-out the relative position of focus as a numeric value (on the lcd and viewfinder). The Century follow-focus ring attaches to the focus ring and, after calibration to an infinity setting, basically allows accurately repeatable focus positions much like those of a standard manual lens. You can place marks on the Century ring for reference. (Note, however, that the Century ring merely adapts the lens to a follow-focus-compatible gear and does not provide the actual ff wheel and gear mechanism. $$)